Photos: Lizards & Snakes at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Three weeks after the T.Rex Encounter exhibit vacated the gallery, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science is already featuring a new exhibit (free with museum admission!), Lizards & Snakes. It first launched at the American Museum of Natural History and includes live animals -- sixty of them (Including the lovely chameleon, pictured above). We stopped by the DMNS this week to check out the exhibit setup. And first things first: I am freaking terrified of snakes, with good reason. So if my ophidiophobic self could walk through this exhibit, y'all have no excuse. (I even touched the life-sized anaconda model this time!)

Britt Chester

While you're in the exhibit, you might recognize the gallery walls from T.Rex Encounter -- it's the same theme, but all of the extinct plants have been removed from the mural. What attention to detail!

Britt Chester

One of the coolest features of this exhibit is the gecko cam -- two cameras are mounted in the gecko enclosure, and you can move them around and look through them to get a gecko's-eye-view of the world.

Britt Chester

Each enclosure includes information on where the animals are generally found, what they eat and other very important information. (Only the python would potentially eat a human -- yes, I asked -- and although they could swallow the head, they'd get stuck on the shoulders of an adult person.)

Britt Chester

The snakes and lizards come with a keeper, who will be responsible for the feeding and care of these reptiles. Because the exhibit will be at the museum through July 8, the keepers will swap out every two months.

Britt Chester

There's a table in the exhibit where you can touch snakeskin, as well as information and displays on how some of these animals become unfortunate fashion accessories.

Britt Chester

This little guy is a basilisk, colloquially known as a "Jesus lizard" for its ability to walk on water. (And not nearly as scary as the Harry Potter version of a basilisk!)

Britt Chester

There's also a green screen where you can get your picture taken with a snake, live performances and, as mentioned, a life-sized anaconda that you can attempt to lift. Seriously -- attempt. That thing is heavy.

Britt Chester

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There are a lot more special features and interesting creatures in the exhibit (including this guy, whose tongue is blue -- maybe he'll show it to you!); be sure to stop by before it closes in July. Remember, it's free with museum admission!